The Sunday News
Thobekile Khumalo, Sunday News Reporter
A LOCAL non-governmental organisation, Advocates 4 Earth is going to host a 600-kilometre wildlife solidarity march from Harare to Hwange in order to raise up to US$20 000 to buy feed for wildlife.
Advocates 4 Earth is an environmental law climate and wildlife justice organisation that campaigns for animal rights and is against the capture of wildlife using the local and global laws and policies.
In an interview, organisation director Mr Lenin Chisaira said the event is influenced by the plight of wildlife that is being experienced in Zimbabwe and in Africa at large at the moment.
“We are hosting this march because we need to feed wildlife that is affected by drought, climate change and human encroachment especially at Hwange National Park,” he said.
He said the march was supposed to start tomorrow but has been postponed due to a number of reasons.
“The march was expected to commence on 4 November but has been postponed following the heat wave threats as well as discussions with police that haven’t been finalised but we will announce the new date soon,” said Mr Chisaira.
He said at least 30 people have signed up for the solidarity walk.
“As of today (Friday) 30 people have registered to participate in the march but we are still expecting more to join and make this event a success as days go by,” he said.
Mr Chisaira said they intend to raise money that will be enough to sustain the wildlife until the end of this time of drought.
“We expect to raise between US$10 000 to US$20 000 so that we buy hay and erect water points in order to save the wild animals. The solidarity walk is expected to take about two weeks with over 50km being covered daily,” said Mr Chisaira.
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